The man responsible for shaping Keshorn Walcott into an Olympic gold medallist, Cuban throws coach Ismael Lopez, says there is no limit to the heights the talented teenager can attain.

"His best quality is dedication, so we can achieve anything. Wow. I feel very happy. I'm very proud of Keshorn. I don't have words to describe."

Walcott became only the second Trinidad and Tobago athlete in Olympic history to strike gold, when he won the men's javelin with an 84.58 metres throw, at the Olympic Stadium, here in London, England, on Saturday.

Walcott's winning throw was a 1.75-metre improvement on his pre-Olympic personal best—82.83m. The 84.58m effort is a new Pan American junior (under-20) and national senior record. It lifted Walcott into second spot on the all-time global under-20 list, behind Latvia's Zigismunds Sirmais, the world junior record holder at 84.69m.

Lopez told the Express he was not surprised by Walcott's London 2012 performance.

"For me, I expected the junior world record. We were working at making his first throw relaxed. If the first throw is good, it makes things easier."

As planned, Walcott was relaxed for his first round effort, throwing the javelin 83.51m. In round two, he improved to 84.58m—the throw that would earn T&T its first taste of Olympic gold since Hasely Crawford's men's 100m triumph in 1976.

Dexter Voisin, the T&T track and field manager at London 2012, said that Walcott's triumph could not have been anticipated.

"It was a surprise to anybody. I sat among European coaches and saw amazement in their faces.

"This shows that once you put your mind to something and stick to the game plan, you can achieve anything. Keshorn is a very disciplined guy, takes training very seriously, listens to his coach, and has a strong mind. He's the ideal athlete."

T&T chef de mission, Annette Knott, also praised the 19-year-old Toco thrower.

"Quiet confidence. He works hard, without any fuss."

Walcott has had an arduous but highly rewarding season, striking gold at the Carifta Games, the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Junior Championships, World Junior Championships, and now the Olympic Games.

Lopez said his athlete will now get a well-deserved rest, before beginning preparations for the 2013 season.

"We have to take care of him. Keshorn was invited to two meets in Europe, but he'll go home. For him, the season is finished."

Walcott's main focus in 2013 will be the World Championships, in Moscow, Russia. Hitting the 90-metre mark is also among the thrower's goals for next season.

Lopez said he is looking forward to the continued support of the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (sportt).

"I'm grateful for the camp in Cuba in April and May that they paid for. It made a big difference in Keshorn's preparations."

He said the pre-Olympic camp in Cardiff, Wales, was beneficial as well.

"It had all the facilities, everything, and played a key part in Keshorn's performance."

While Walcott has a rare gift for hurling the spear, Lopez is convinced there are other potential Olympic champions in T&T waiting to be discovered.

"There are more like him, but something needs to be in place to develop field events. We need facilities. The throwers and jumpers cannot always train at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. Because of football games, the field is not always available. A field events facility is needed."

Lopez said throwing talent abounds in both Toco and Tobago.

"You have to look long-term. Start at 12/13. At that age, you have the time to teach different skills for throws. At age 15/16, the athletes can specialise in a particular throw."

If Lopez has his way, the Walcott win—arguably the biggest surprise of London 2012—will not be a one-off occurrence never to be repeated, but rather, the first of many global field successes for a nation that has built its Olympic reputation on the track.

By Keshorn Walcott

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

A truly memorable Olympic Games came to an end yesterday here in London, England, with T&T still celebrating its four medals—one gold and three bronze. Keshorn Walcott, in his debut, created the frenzy when he inspired T&T’s second-ever Olympic gold medal with a spectacular performance in the in the Men’s Javelin. Walcott’s tremendous feat later inspired the local 4x100 metres relay team of Richard Thompson, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Marc Burns, to third place. It was also a special occasion for another debutant Lalonde Gordon, who picked up two bronze medals, first in the individual 400m, before combining with Jarrin Solomon, Deon Lendore and Ade Alleyne-Forte in the 4x400m relay final. T&T was not the only Caribbean country in a celebratory mode, as triple-gold medallist Usain Bolt led the Jamaican contingent which surely had a lot to cheer about, as well as Kirani James’ Grenada and Chris Brown’s Bahamas. Jamaica’s overall medal tally was 12—four gold, four silver and four bronze while James gave Grenada its first medal at the Games in the 400m, and Bahamas topped the 4x400m, a beautiful ending for the Caribbean.
Their performances caught the attention of former T&T sprinter medallist Ato Boldon, a four-time Olympic medal winner himself. “You cannot doubt that the Caribbean has had an absolutely phenomenal games. A phenomenal games for me is not just Shelly–Ann Fraser-Pryce and Usain Bolt, who you’d expect to come here and do well because they have done well here before,” said Boldon.  “Obviously, Kirani James winning Grenada’s first Olympic medal and its gold, Keshorn Walcott from T&T, just the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen from a T&T national. “Lalonde Gordon’s bronze in the 400m was special. T&T relays, both getting third and Jamaica world’s record. Overall it was phenomenal performance.” Despite being pleased with the achievements of the youngsters, Boldon called on each country to start preparing now for the future. “To come to your first Olympic Games as a teenager and win a medal—specifically T&T, we have a bad habit of not making things that are really great in our sporting past be that catalyst to make things be better. “In both T&T and Grenada, it would really be a dis-service to Keshorn and Kirani, if 10, 15 or 20 years from now you can’t point back and say 10 or 15 years ago when that happen we did ‘x’ and that is why we have three or four medallists now.”
Boldon said it was obvious eveyone would want to celebrate this great achievement. “My concern, (is that) it is not a reason to exhale.” He encouraged the other Caribbean heads to follow in the footsteps of Jamaica. “Jamaica never takes their foot off the gas. If Jamaica came home from London with 20 medals, they will be trying to figure out how to get 25. I would like to see the powers that be, the government, get serious about Olympic athletes.” At the closing ceremony last night, George Bovell carried the T&T flag. Bovell, who made his fourth appearance at the Games, competed in the final of the 50 metre freestyle event and finished seventh. He represented T&T at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympics. At the 2004 edition, he won a bronze medal in the men's 200 Individual medley (IM). It was also the first-ever Olympic swimming medal for the country, and T&T's only medal from the 2004 Olympics. Bovell also carried the T&T flag at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Final results

Cycling: Njisane Phillip (Sprint - 4th), (Keirin - 7th)
Sailing: Andrew Lewis (Laser event – 45th)
Swimming: George Bovell (50m free – 7th)
Shooting: Roger Daniel (10m air pistol – 36th; 50m pistol – 35th)
Boxing: Carlos Suarez (Light flyweight, loses to Ferhat Pehlivan, 16-6 First round)
Track and Field Men

400m: Lalonde Gordon (Bronze); Deon Lendore (5th first round)
4x400m Relay: L Gordon, D Lendore J Solomon, A Alleyne-Forte (Bronze)
100m: Richard Thompson (7th final); Keston Bledman (4th, out in semis); Rondell Sorillo ( 7th semis)
200m: Rondel Sorillo (5th first round)
4x100m Relay: R Thompson, K Bledman Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender  (Bronze)
110m Hurdles: Wayne Davis (6th semis); Mikel Thomas (5th first round)
400m Hurdles: Jehue Gordon (6th final )
Javelin: Keshorn Walcott (Gold)

Women
100m: Kelly-Ann Baptiste (6th); Semoy Hackett (5th semis); Michelle Lee Ahye (8th semis)
200m: S Hackett (8th  final); K Selvon (5th semis)
400m Hurdles: Janeil Bellille (5th first round)
4x100m Relay: K Baptiste, K Selvon, ML Ahye, S Hackett (Did not finish final)
Shot Put: Cleopatra Borel (13th )
Triple Jump: Ayanna Alexander (14th)
By Rachael Thompson-King
Source: www.guardian.co.tt

The men's javelin gold won by Keshorn Walcott at the Olympic Games, here in London, England, combined with the three bronze medals secured on the track, earned Trinidad and Tobago joint 47th spot on the medal table, with Uzbekistan.

The four-medal haul was the largest for T&T in Olympic history. The country's success, however, cannot be measured only in precious metal.

There were 12 top-eight finishes for T&T at London 2012.

Walcott led the way with his golden shocker. Lalonde Gordon's men's 400 metres bronze was also a surprise.

Keston Bledman, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Richard "Torpedo" Thompson combined for bronze in the men's 4x100m. And there was bronze as well for Gordon, Jarrin Solomon, Ade Alleyne-Forte and Deon Lendore in the 4x400m.

Cyclist Njisane Phillip just missed out on a trip to the podium, finishing fourth in the men's sprint. He also competed in the keirin, copping seventh spot.

Kelly-Ann Baptiste was sixth in the women's 100m final—the best ever Olympic placing for a female athlete from T&T. Jehue Gordon got to the men's 400m hurdles final, the 20-year-old athlete finishing sixth in the championship race. And Thompson was seventh fastest in the men's 100m dash.

In the pool, George Bovell touched the wall seventh in the men's 50m freestyle final. Yesterday, the 29-year-old swimmer capped off his fourth Olympic Games campaign by carrying the T&T flag at the closing ceremony, at the Olympic Stadium.

Semoy Hackett finished eighth in the women's 200m. And in the women's 4x100m, Michelle-Lee Ahye, Baptiste, Kai Selvon and Hackett progressed from the qualifying round, but were non-finishers in the final, a baton bungle halting their medal bid.

Chef de mission Annette Knott said that the strong showing here in London was the dawn of a new era in T&T sport.

"We have stepped up to another level. What we need to do now is take it to the next level, where we can turn these placings into medals."

Knott told the Express there was uneasiness in the T&T camp during the London Games.

"When we started, we speculated where we would get the medals. There was always hope in the relays, and we were also looking towards George and Njisane.

"But we were getting only finalists," she continued, "and not medals. While there was still confidence in the camp, there was some anxiety, especially with the comments on Twitter and Facebook."

Things changed last Monday, after the men's one-lap final.

"Once Lalonde medalled, there was more hope that anything can happen."

Knott said the T&T Olympic team was a unified bunch.

"There were no cliques. The pre-Games camp (in Wales) really made a difference with team unity. We were one big family."

The chef de mission said that while Jamaica emerged as the top English-speaking nation at the Games--finishing 18th on the medal table with four gold medals, four silver and four bronze—T&T's all-round performance is worthy of commendation.

"We sometimes sell ourselves short. We have people in many events, and there has been a steady progression. We have finalists not only on the track, but we're doing well in cycling and swimming as well. All-round, I'd say we're ahead of the Caribbean.

"I'm very proud to manage this team," Knott ended. "There's a great feel good factor."

By Kwame Laurence

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

Keshorn Walcott’s gold medal may have been the biggest surprise of the Olympic Games in London, England. Yesterday, Walcott shocked everyone at Olympic Stadium when his second throw of 84.58 metres topped the Men’s Javelin event, less than a month after he became the world junior champion. He astonished himself also, saying, “I’m surprised I even made the final. I just went out there to relax and enjoy it and it worked out. “It means everything to me. This is what it’s all about.” Walcott, from Toco, pushed T&T’s medal count to three before the men’s 4x100m relay team of Richard Thompson, Keston Bledman, Emmanuel Callender and Marc Burns added a bronze medal to make it four—T&T’s best medal haul at an Olympic Games.
The others came from Lalonde Gordon, who won bronze in the men’s 400m on Monday, and the the men’s 400m relay final. The local men finished fourth in the men’s 4x100m relay, but were promoted after Canada, which was originally third, was disqualified for stepping out of lane. But yesterday clearly belonged to Walcott, who made it the second time in the history of the Olympics that T&T’s anthem was played and its flag lifted above all others during the medal ceremony. The first was sprinter Hasely Crawford, who won gold in the Men’s 100m final in the 1976 Montreal Games in Canada. Walcott gave T&T its first victory in an Olympic field event and also became only the second non-European athlete to take the crown in 100 years of the Olympic Games. “Honestly, I was just glad to make it into the final. I was just looking to do a personal best,” said the soft-spoken Walcott.
He established the lead in the opening round with a throw of 83.51 metres, to break his own national record of 82.83, and increased it in the second round with 84.58 which proved enough to win on the night. The only other thrower who came close was Ukraine’s Oleksandr Pyatnytsya, whose third effort, of 84.51, was some seven centimetres short. Finland’s Antti Ruuskanen was third with a throw of 84.12. “My heart was beating really fast going into the last throw. I knew these guys were experienced. But I’m so happy now.” Defending Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen from Norway and Czech Republic’s Vitezslav Vesely, who threw 88.34 metres in qualifying, were the favourites coming into the final. Thorkildsen had to settle for sixth place with his attempt of 82.63. “I just trained my hardest and tried to enjoy every time I come out,” Walcott said. He had only great things to say of his mother, Beverly, and his coach, Ishmael Mastrafa Lopez.  “I want to thank the entire country. Firstly my mom, she believed in me throughout from since I started. My coach had been guiding me. “I just want to say thanks again to the entire country for supporting me and believing in me,” said the golden Walcott.
By Rachael Thompson-King
Source: www.guardian.co.tt

Sport Minister Anil Roberts described yesterday as the country's "most successful day in our Olympic history".

In a press statement issued by the Sports Company of T&T, Roberts was described as "uncharacteristically lost for words" following yesterday's historic events.

"Today, August 11, 2012 is a day that will be forever etched in my memory. Today is Trinidad and Tobago's most successful day in our Olympic history, and we have many fantastic achievements of which we can boast. This bronze medal following our gold in the javelin event was a most fitting way to end the Olympics, which I'm sure was followed closely by all 1.3 million supporters," he said.

"As a minister, coach and citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, my heart is swollen with pride, honour and complete joy that these great athletes have all brought to our country on our golden anniversary of Independence. The men and women of the 2012 Olympic team are national heroes in their own right. Once again, Trinidad and Tobago has shown the world what we are made of."

Yesterday, the Sport Company applauded Trinidad and Tobago's "Fantastic Four" for their bronze medal.

"In the final event of the 2012 Summer Olympics, the men's 4x100m relay team sprinted their way into the history books and secured Trinidad and Tobago's third bronze medal of the games.

"The quartet's stellar performance also meant a fourth overall medal in London, making this year's Olympic Games the most successful of any Trinidad and Tobago delegation. As a result, Trinidad and Tobago now ranks as the country with the third highest number of medals per capita.

"The Beijing 2008 silver medallists were led by Keston Bledman, followed by strong second and third legs from Marc Burns and Emmanuel Callender. Richard "Torpedo" Thompson ran a crucial anchor leg, crossing the finish line in 38.12 secs," the release stated.

"Up against some of the fastest men in history, including fellow Caricom powerhouse Jamaica, the Trinidad and Tobago team held their own and, with an unparalleled drive and determination, secured this twin-island's last medal of the Games.

"In what can be described as a race of redemption following a close qualifying round, the Fantastic Four showed true grit and athletic excellence to complete the race, despite a slight error in the final baton change," it said.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com

Keshorn Walcott produced a shocker at the Olympic Stadium here in London, England, yesterday, becoming only the second Olympic gold medallist from Trinidad and Tobago.

The 19-year-old from Toco emerged victorious in the men's javelin, hurling the spear 84.58 metres in the second round to upset a strong field, including Norway's two-time Olympic champion Andreas Thorkildsen.

At the 1976 Games in Montreal, Canada, Hasely Crawford struck gold for T&T in the men's 100 metres dash. It took 36 years for the country's second Olympic gold.

But it was worth the wait. The Trinbagonians at the Olympic Stadium yesterday savoured the moment, singing along lustily as "Forged from the Love of Liberty" blared from the speakers during the victory ceremony.

"I'm more than stunned," said Walcott, after receiving his medal. "I just went into the final to enjoy it, so to come out with the gold medal is a feeling I can't describe right now.

"I know everyone is proud of me," he continued. "I'm just thankful for all the support. I'm going back to the Games Village to celebrate with the team, and we're leaving (today), so we'll celebrate in Trinidad too. I know they're going mad in Toco."

The newly crowned Olympic champion is expected to touch down at Piarco International Airport close to midnight, tonight, on Caribbean Airlines flight BW903.

Walcott opened yesterday's competition with a new Pan American junior and national open record, landing the spear 83.51m to move from fifth to fourth on the all-time world junior (under-20) list. There was a big smile from the reigning world junior champion as he took an early lead.

It was a lead Walcott would never relinquish. In round two, he produced the big one, the 84.58m effort moving him into second spot on the all-time junior list, resetting his records in the process. The teenager could not contain himself. Another huge smile broke out, he spread his arms wide and he hit his chest.

Though he fouled on his third attempt, Walcott remained in the gold medal position.

Already in the history books by becoming the first male field athlete from T&T to appear in an Olympic final, the four-time Carifta Games champion was threatening to write an even bigger story.

An 80.64m effort in the fourth round was followed by a foul in round five. The T&T thrower, however, was still in pole position.

It was do or die for Thorkildsen and company in the final round. Well, any hopes of removing the youngest man in the competition from the top spot died. There was no one to match the 84.58m throw.

Walcott was exultant, T&T's second Olympic gold medallist racing over to his coach, Cuban Ismael Lopez for a tight hug. The celebration had begun.

"I want to thank my mom for believing in me throughout; my coach who has been guiding me, doing a great job. And thanks to the entire country for believing in me and supporting me."

Walcott told the Sunday Express he could not believe he had emulated Crawford's historic feat.

"I can't really believe it right now. Knowing that Mr Crawford was the biggest name in track and field when I was small, and remembering when I was hoping to meet him…"

Ukraine's Oleksandr Pyatnytsya earned silver, yesterday, with an 84.51m effort, while bronze went to Finland's Antti Ruuskanen, who threw 84.12m. Thorkildsen had to settle for sixth spot, the Norwegian's hopes of completing a hat-trick of Olympic triumphs dashed when he could only manage a best effort of 82.63m.

The Olympic men's javelin event has been dominated by Europeans. In 23 previous competitions, between 1908 and 2008, European throwers won 22 times. The only blemish on that record came in 1952, in Helsinki, Finland, American Cy Young claiming the top spot.

Sixty years later, Keshorn Walcott has brought the title to the western hemisphere for only the second time in Olympic history, the T&T golden boy's heroics creating one of the biggest stories of London 2012.

By Kwame Laurence

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com